We were lucky to catch up with Camron Robles recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Camron thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

As with most life decisions, I sometimes wish I’d made the move sooner. I found that I was hesitant when faced with change, I think most people can relate to the that feeling, “better to be comfortable what you know rather than uncomfortable with the unknown.” Change, even good change, is scary!

I began my business shortly after the pandemic, particularly after my state’s mandated quarantine period. I went back to work as an employee and the environment completely shifted. I tried to acclimate, but I realized I needed more autonomy.

Often we instinctively know when change is needed, but I sat with that feeling for about a year. I wish that I had listened to myself and acted on that gut feeling sooner because there was no payoff to not listening to myself. Running my own business immediately felt better day one. I cultivated something that spoke to me as a person and that resonated with my clientele, they were enthusiastic and supportive!

Camron , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was introduced to the hair industry in high school as an elective credit. My instructors recommended local beauty schools to me, they saw a talent that I did not see for myself. Their way of convincing me to pursue it was by telling me about how flexible the hours were, that it could support me through college (my original goal).

Well, I did both college and cosmetology, and I did not like college. I loved learning but the structure of getting a decree was frustrating. Hair surprised me because it was far more complex than I realized, and it was meeting needs that I didn’t know I had. Room for creativity, problem solving, and a lot of human interaction!

I think my relationship to my own queernes really gave me a unique point of difference from other stylists. I spent a lot of time figuring myself out and was able to translate that to hair.

For me, queerness is a process, to be in a state of self-discovery. To look at aspects of your identity + your life experience, and to define & redefine as you discover more about yourself. That’s also everyone’s relationship to their hair! Hair is an aspect of personal expression. It is very common to spend years of your life discovering your hair. You find what you like (what feels right) through experience. I love helping people see the process and feel comfortable being in it. I am a great hair stylist because I am a great listener with a niche set of skills to guide you on your chosen path. My business puts this story at the forefront; you’re safe to explore yourself with me!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Honestly, I get information from every source I can, even if it seems unrelated. I really am a student through and through, I take in new ideas and translate them to my goals. I had particularly great mentors in different stages of life and the thing I responded to most was that the best leaders would do any work necessary. Even the small stuff: toilets’s clogged? You do it. Phone needs answering? You do it too. No task is beneath you, every task has relevance and importance. To be involved in your business on every level makes you understand your business thoroughly.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

I had really unfortunate experience with sub-leasing. The company that I had first l leased my operating space from did not own their building, they were unable to renew thier lease, which in turn termated my lease with very little warning. I had less than a month to relocate with a full book of appointments for that same month.

It was a suckerpunch to the stomach. I remember feeling so defeated, so sick. But I lucked out with community, other stylists heard the news and offered spaces to me. Although it had to happen fast, I was able to move my entire business without interfering with a single appointment!

Client’s were very understanding of the situation and relocated with me without an issue. I actually got a lot of praise for making the transition feel seamless to them, and I couldn’t have done that without people in my community.

A big takeaway here is that you’re never really alone, and asking for help is more than okay!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @camronrobles